Diabetes Overview and Testing

Diabetes awareness for managing a healthier lifestyle

Around the world, an estimated 415 million adults have diabetes. By 2040, this number will rise to over 640 million.

As diabetes across the globe continues to rise, so must the effort to raise awareness. 37% of all diabetic adults live in the Asia-Pacific region. In Africa, more than two-thirds of people with diabetes are undiagnosed. In Latin America, the number of people with diabetes will increase by 65% by 2040.1 And in 2012, treating diabetes and its related conditions cost Americans about $245 billion in total medical costs and lost work and wages.2

Many of those who are undiagnosed may have or be at risk of prediabetes, and recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already occur in prediabetics.3

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of diabetes is made primarily by the detection of hyperglycemia. There are many tools, however, in the arsenal of diabetes-related diagnostic tests. Diabetes-related assays are performed for various reasons on many different types of patients:

Newly diagnosed diabetics - To help determine if they have type 1 or type 2 diabetes when the clinical indications are inconclusive.

Type 2 diabetics - To monitor and adjust therapies.

All diabetics - To test for diabetic nephropathy by measuring their urinary albumin levels.

Postmenopausal women - Studies indicate that this group may have an increased risk for cardiac mortality if they have an elevated urinary albumin level.

Women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome - This syndrome affects 6 to 10 percent of all women, with 50 percent having insulin resistance. These women are at high-risk for developing type 2 diabetes. An abnormally elevated insulin level with hyperglycemia could indicate insulin resistance.

Monitoring the Condition

Those diagnosed with diabetes are encouraged to monitor their condition on a regular basis. By measuring hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), doctors can gauge your average blood sugar levels from the last 2-3 months and thereby provide a more tailored treatment plan. HbA1c measurement can also show whether treatment plans and lifestyle choices have been effective.

Type 1 Diabetes

Formerly called “insulin-dependent” or “juvenile-onset” diabetes

An autoimmune disease that causes destruction of pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for synthesizing and secreting insulin

Accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diabetics

Type 2 Diabetes

Formerly called “non-insulin-dependent” or “adult-onset” diabetes

Caused by insulin resistance or inadequate insulin secretion

Accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes in developed countries

Pre-diabetes

Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Impaired Fasting Glucose

Individuals have blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes

People with pre-diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke4

Siemens Healthineers offers a wide range of diabetes-related assays that aid in the differentiation of type 1 from type 2 diabetes, help to monitor glycemic control, and allow doctors to follow the progression of the disease through HbA1c monitoring.

To learn more about Siemens Healthineers chronic disease solutions for diabetes management at the point of care, click here.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Each November, Siemens Healthineers raises awareness about this serious, but manageable, chronic condition. We are passionate about helping patients lead healthy lives and partnering with clinicians to aid them in managing their patients’ conditions. With so many diabetics undiagnosed, understanding the risk factors, symptoms, and long-term impact is a crucial first step toward making communities around the world healthier.

Want to make an impact? Here are some ways you can take part in Diabetes Awareness Month:

Share this page and infographic with your patients, on social media, and family and friends.

Watch this video of a doctor in Texas who strengthened an entire at-risk community

Do you know your A1c? Learn why HbA1c monitoring is important and talk to your doctor about getting tested.